Have you ever watched a movie about hackers stealing identity, manipulating the private data and unfolding very sensitive information which might be a real disaster for some people? Maybe even heard some unbelievable stories from your friends who lost all their money due to credit card credentials theft? Well, unfortunately these situations are not solely based on the imagination of some crazy screenwriter, rather the summary of what actually can happen to you if you are not careful enough with your IT security habits. Whether you buy a new item online or simply surf online you need to know the 6 most common mistakes people make in order to keep you and your finances safe online.
Fill Only Relevant Boxes
Has it ever crossed your mind that sometimes the online forms we are filling are asking for completely irrelevant information? From time to time, we come across forms which insist on sharing information such as your mother’s maiden name, your education history or even asking your pet’s name. This might, however, be completely unnecessary and might be just a key to open the door and breach your privacy. Therefore, there is no need to give away most of this information and it is a good habit to fill only the boxes which are without doubt necessary to complete the current form you are on.
The Most Common Password Security Issues
It is a common mistake to have only one easy to remember password for all the accounts and services we use online. However, it is a very unsecure way to keep important information safe. Having multiple passwords is a much safer option than having one password for all of your accounts. At times it might seem difficult and unnecessary to create tonnes of separate passwords but, on the other hand, it is definitely worth trying. Imagine if your only password would ever get stolen you would be in deep trouble as the thief would have access to everything you own and operate online. While having multiple passwords may not seem a convenient option, it is definitely the best way to protect yourself from losing or sharing all your personal data.
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Dangers of Using Public Wi-fi and Hot-spots
Using public Wi-fi and hot-spots is a real crack in IT security these days. It often happens that we need to send documents or important data to another individual while away from our personal wifi connections and computers. However, you should always remember that public hot spots potentially allow everyone to gain access to your personal data. If you can avoid using public connections, you should, however, if it is really necessary you should make sure to use a password to securely encrypt your data.
Google Surfing Security Problems
The go-to search engine for most people is Google. Rather than saying ‘check the internet’, the common phrase has actually become ‘Google it!’. While the search engine is really great, it still has its fair share of IT security issues. Google keeps records of your online search and location history as it uses this information to target the consumer market with ads and other content. If you want to to avoid being tracked it is possible to use incognito mode to surf online. Also it is important to readjust search engine tracking settings. This is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to avoid IT security threats.
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Privacy Settings on your Device
Last but not the least on our list is privacy settings. Make sure your Google settings are set how you want them. Make sure you do not overshare any documents, videos or photos that might be on your device. Use anti-virus software in order to keep your device clean from intruders. Change your password regularly. Don’t make it simple by using common combinations like your birthdays, or a sequence of numbers like 1234.
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